HOMELINESS OF NATURE. 167 



if trees were all perfect and symmetrical in their shape, 

 and not rugged and homely as now, how sadly would 

 they be wanting in their present attractions ! The very 

 pebbles and gravel and broken sods that intercept our 

 progress, and often offend the sight, are as needful parts 

 of the great picture as the most beautiful object that at- 

 tracts our admiration. Beauty, like a pearl or diamond, 

 derives value from the endeavors we make to find it ; and 

 an occasional glimpse produces more pleasure than we 

 should derive from the constant sight of it. 



Hence the most brilliant and enchanting colors and 

 forms are chiefly confined to the minute objects of crea- 

 tion, while those most apparent from their magnitude or 

 extent of surface are sober in their hues, or rough and 

 rude in their general appearance. All the exceptions 

 to this law among things of considerable magnitude 

 are such as retain their brilliancy only a few moments. 

 In the forms and hues of the clouds, which are always 

 evanescent, in the frostwork upon our windows, in 

 flowers and fruits, in birds and insects, has nature dis- 

 played the most beautiful hues, forms, and combinations. 

 But the rocks that compose the hills and mountains, 

 the general outline of the forest, and the surface of the 

 ground, are destitute of beauty, and are attractive only as 

 they cherish some agreeable sentiment. But Nature does 

 not withhold the charms of color and symmetry from her 

 evanescent forms, however great their magnitude. Hence 

 the incomparable beauty of the rainbow ! 



In her displays of mere organic beauty, Nature will 

 not bear comparison with art; and if we are more 

 charmed with her scenes, it is because they more power- 

 fully affect the imagination. All would agree, upon draw- 

 ing a comparison between the beauty of the clouds 

 at sunset and that of the interior of a dome of colored 

 glass, that the latter is the more brilliant and variegated. 



